Saturday night (Sept. 26) at Batavia Downs means two top class feature races and this week was no exception. And both of those events provided exciting finishes.
Simpson Stakes series starts at Pocono
The John Simpson Sr. stakes series, honoring the Hall of Fame horseman and breeding executive with a race in each of the eight stakes categories named after a horse with whom he was associated in his career, opened its annual stay at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday with the Albatross, with three $30,000 divisions for sophomore pacing males.
Harrah’s Philadelphia cancels Sunday (Sept. 27) racing
Harrah’s Philadelphia has canceled live racing on Sunday (Sept. 27) due to the weather impacting the East Coast.
Cumberland (ME) Fair opens Sunday
The Down East faithful will transition from Farmington to the 154th annual Cumberland Fair on Sunday (Sept. 27) with nine harness races programmed at the iconic Southern Maine oval.
Maine’s freshmen pacers shine at Farmington Fair
Three $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings finished up their regular racing season on Friday (Sept. 25) at the Farmington Fair, securing their positions for the upcoming Freshmen Finals on Oct. 3.
Shes A Bulldog posts minor upset in OSS Gold for 3-year-old pacing fillies
Shes A Bulldog kicked home with authority to win the lone $150,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Leg 5 division for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday (Sept. 25) at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a career-best 1:49.2.
Filly tops Åby Yearling Sale
Heaven Hill, a filly by Face Time Bourbon out of Hillary Hill, by Muscle Hill, topped Friday’s (Sept. 25) Åby Yearling Sale with a winning bid of approximately $232,000.
Emma Town Bud wins featured trot at Vernon
Emma Town Bud (Pierre Bovay) captured the $7,500 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (Sept. 25).
On To Norway defends home turf in Caesars Trotting Classic
In Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s signature trotting event on Friday (Sept. 25), the $200,000 Grade 2 Caesars Trotting Classic presented by Kountry Lane Standardbreds, On To Norway refused to be denied on his home track, going first-over en route to a 1:51.2 victory with John De Long in the sulky for Ron Burke.
Matthews takes to Mohawk Million Stage with D A Johnny Cash
Chris Matthews, a Standardbred trainer in the game for over 30 years and the right-hand man to a top Canadian conditioner in Gregg McNair, will have his turn in the limelight on Saturday night (Sept. 26) when his gelding D A Johnny Cash hits the track to try and play the role of spoiler in the Grade 1 Mohawk Million.